I’m lucky enough to be able to use a grocery delivery app during the lockdown, which means that I don’t have to leave the house too often.

On Monday, the wonderful man doing my shopping phoned to tell me that the sewing kit on my list was considered a non-essential item and was on a taped-off shelf in Dis-Chem, much like the products in the image above.

I checked in with some friends who were also confused about how goods have been classified as ‘essential’ or ‘non-essential’. Hair dye is considered essential, while hair ties are not. Hair masks are also being sold, but you can’t buy nail clippers. You can stock up on dish towels, but not cleaning lappies.